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NY Knicks Gameday HQ

Brook Lopez, Kevin Garnett and Joe Johnson
though he won’t be putting up 22-23 points
a night, he should get closer to 20. The Nets
absolutely need that from him.
Point guard Williams is still a reliable man
on the ball, but the condition of his ankles
no longer allows him to be a huge threat
offensively. His 14.3 ppg were way off his
usual production, which hovered around—or
exceeded—20 ppg. He and Johnson form a
solid backcourt, but as each ages, the tandem’s
ability to lift a team to big things diminishes.
The Nets need rookie Bojan Bogdanovic
to make a quick acclimation at the three
spot. He was a solid European player and
has the potential to be a reliable scorer,
but it’s unlikely he’ll be a primary offensive
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
option. More than likely, the 6-8 forward will
provide complementary production, unless his
elders start to sag.
Lopez will be a huge asset, if he can
stay healthy. Four surgeries in three years
on his right foot have made him extremely
vulnerable and don’t necessarily provide a
lot of hope that he’ll be able to be healthy
and highly productive for 82 games. Lopez
has the ability to score around the hoop and
can hit the midrange jumper. He’s active and
versatile, but his season’s success will be a
function of his health.
Garnett is still inspirational and capable of
playing good basketball in short bursts, but
expecting him to be a season-long force is
unreasonable. He is
not hitting his jumper
as often as he once
did, and he lacks
quickness inside.
Mason Plumlee can
provide some help
off the bench inside,
while new acquisition
Jarrett Jack is a solid
rotation piece.
Outlook
I n a n E a s t e r n
Conference that still
includes a lot of
teams with little-tono
playoff hopes,
the Nets are clearly
a playof f-ca l iber
squad. The question,
however, is whether
they can advance
past the first round.
The answer to that is probably not what
Brooklyn fans want to hear. Although losing
Pierce makes the team a little younger, it is
still one of the older squads in the East, and
that means there is the potential for injury and
significant wear and tear.
The goal will be to challenge for the Atlantic
crown while still making sure that players
like Garnett, Williams and Johnson aren’t
overworked. Since New York, the Sixers and
Boston are still rebuilding, the Nets should be
Toronto’s main competition. If good health
prevails, and the main contributors are able to
be consistent throughout the season, Brooklyn
could well make a run at the title. Eastern
supremacy, however, will prove quite elusive.
SPOTLIGHT:
Brook Lopez
If last year were the first time Brook Lopez missed any appreciable time during a season, Nets fans would consider his return from a broken
right foot a natural process in the sports world. Athletes do get hurt, and they do return.
But Lopez, who missed all but 17 games last year, played in only five contests during the 2011-12 campaign. Missing that many opportunities
to play must have everyone associated with Brooklyn wondering whether Lopez is healthy and ready for full action or now seriously
compromised and therefore liable to be a part-time contributor for the rest of his career.
When Lopez does contribute, he does a darn good job. Now in the third year of the four-year contract he signed before the 2012-13 season,
Lopez is a legitimate 20-10 threat who can also block shots and pass the ball well. In an era where centers are no longer valued for much
beyond the ability to protect the rim against marauding wing players and four men, Lopez is the rare big man who can do it all.
Whether he’ll get the chance over the course of a full season remains to be seen. The second surgery he had last year lowered the arch
on his foot, the better to take pressure off the outside of his foot, where his most recent fracture occurred. The hope is that he will be able
to avoid any repeat injuries. A loss of about 15 pounds is designed to take pressure off the area, as well. If it works, the Nets will be in good
shape. If not, the questions will continue.